Romford martial artist Grant Guirey has been awarded the accolade of being named in the Martial Arts Illustrated magazine Fighters Hall of Fame at the age of just 41.

Guirey, who runs the Battlefield Muay Thai Gym in Hornchurch Road, Romford, began training in martial arts at the age of seven and becomes one of the youngest ever to receive the prestigious award.

He collected his prize at a special ceremony in Staffordshire, which was attended by martial art experts, including the middleweight champion kickboxer Bill Wallace.

Guirey said: “It is great people’s achievements are recognised and celebrated by other teachers and fighters alike at such ceremonies.

“Martial Arts Illustrated is a great magazine and I was extremely honoured to receive the award from the editor, Bob Sykes, in person.

“Just weeks earlier he’d had a hip replacement. And yet he was up and running around within days of the operation and to me that is what martial arts gives in terms of development.”

Father of three Guirey has trained in numerous arts, including judo, MMA, boxing, Pilipino sticks and several styles of karate. His skill has even seen him perform in numerous countries across the globe including Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines.

During 30 years in the arts, Guirey has grabbed the attention of film makers who were impressed by his skills, adding: “I was approached to become a Shadow Warrior Ninja in the 2005 British-American blockbuster movie Batman Begins.

“It was an awful lot of fun and it was a great experience in my life.”

A love for martial arts clearly runs in Guirey’s family as eldest daughter Chloe, 11, is also keen on the sport. She won the Southern UK Sandee Open Championship earlier this year and is competing for a place in the England Junior team on July 6 in Birmingham, following her training at Battlefields Gym.

But Guirey believes the arts are more about self development than defence adding: “I spend a considerable amount of time doing mental coaching and confidence-building sessions, using personal development techniques. Especially with kids that have suffered bullying.”

■ Anyone interested in martial arts can contact Battlefield Muay Thai gym in Romford for a free training session. See their website essexmuaythai.com.

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